1William Anderst PhD,
1Tom Gale MS, 2Kris Gongaware DC and 2Michael Schneider DC, PhD
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and 2Department of Physical Therapy
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA (bdl.pitt.edu)
- This study demonstrates our ability to characterize facet gapping, believed to be one of the key mechanical events of spinal manipulation.
- Cervical manipulation induces supraphysiologic facet joint gapping, evidenced by a peak
facet gap during manipulation that is more than double the peak facet gap during full
range of motion flexion/extension. - Future work will investigate the relationship between mechanical events, such as facet
gapping and applied forces, and the mechanical and/or neurologic responses that lead to
positive clinical outcome